San Marino Ship & Yacht Registration (DIR)

AGPLAW assists with the registration of merchant ships, cargo vessels, cruise vessels and other eligible commercial vessels under the San Marino flag.

Our assistance includes the preliminary eligibility review, preparation and review of registration documents, provisional and permanent registration, coordination with the Registry, ownership documentation and liaison with Recognised Organisations and other parties where required.

Where the vessel is being acquired, financed or reflagged at the same time, we can coordinate the registration with the wider transaction.

AGPLAW assists with the registration of both private and commercial yachts under the San Marino flag.

The applicable requirements vary according to the yacht's size, tonnage and intended use, including whether it is operated privately, commercially or under charter. Particular requirements apply to yachts below and above 24 metres Load Line length.

We can coordinate the registration, ownership documentation, Resident Agent requirements, surveys and certification and advise on the appropriate registration structure before the yacht is placed into operation.

AGPLAW provides legal support for the wider transaction surrounding the vessel, including ship and yacht sale and purchase agreements, ownership structures, financing and security documentation, charter arrangements, regulatory advice and other maritime contracts.

This allows owners to deal with the registration and the underlying legal transaction through the same legal team.

We assist owners with the registration of newly acquired vessels and with transferring existing ships and yachts from another registry to the San Marino flag.

This may include coordination with the outgoing registry, deletion or suspension documentation, confirmation of ownership and encumbrances, existing mortgages, certificates and technical requirements.

Where reflagging forms part of a vessel acquisition or refinancing, we can coordinate the process with the closing timetablee.

A San Marino company is not automatically required simply because a vessel is registered under the San Marino flag.

Where a corporate ownership structure is appropriate, AGPLAW can advise on and establish the relevant owning company, assist with corporate administration and coordinate the ownership structure with the registration, financing and tax requirements of the transaction.

Flag registration, corporate ownership and tax residence are separate matters and should be considered together.

Our team can assist with the tax, VAT and corporate aspects of the proposed ownership and operation of the vessel, taking into account the owner's residence, ownership structure, vessel use, charter activity and relevant jurisdictions.

Any San Marino tax incentives or exemptions should be assessed according to the particular structure rather than assumed to apply automatically because the vessel flies the San Marino flag.

We assist owners, managers and seafarers with crew documentation and flag-state endorsement requirements connected with San Marino registered vessels.

Requirements depend on the vessel type, operation, crew position and applicable STCW and minimum safe manning requirements.

We assist with applications and Registry procedures relating to Certificates of Competency and their recognition where required for service on San Marino registered vessels.

The required documentation and endorsement process will depend on the seafarer's qualification, issuing administration and position on board.

We assist with the preparation and submission of applications for the relevant San Marino crew endorsements and recognition documentation, including verification of the underlying certificates and supporting seafarer documents.

We assist qualifying seafarers with applications for San Marino Seaman Record Books and the supporting documentation required by the Registry.

Applications can be coordinated together with other crew certification and endorsement requirements for the vessel.

We assist with the Ship Radio Station Licence application and related vessel radio documentation as part of the registration process.

Where appropriate, this can be handled together with the main vessel registration so that radio and communication requirements are addressed before completion.

Where required, we assist with documentation relating to the vessel's Radio Accounting Authority and the relevant Registry requirements concerning maritime radio communications and accounting arrangements.

AGPLAW assists owners, lenders and financiers with the registration, transfer and discharge of mortgages and other registrable security interests over San Marino registered vessels.

We can coordinate the Registry filing with the underlying loan, security, acquisition or refinancing documentation.

We assist with bareboat charter and parallel-registration arrangements involving San Marino registered vessels, including the review of charter documentation and coordination with the relevant registries.

For yachts, we can also advise on registration issues arising where a vessel moves between private and commercial or charter use.